What is Cold Water Immersion?
A treatment method used for heat stroke.
The following steps are to perform cold water immersion:
Remove equipment/excess clothing.
Fill the tub with enough water to immerse the whole body (on days when WBGT readings are above 82 the tub should be filled prior to practices/games).
Monitor vital signs and measure core (rectal) temperature (if the temperature is above 104 °F, then begin cold water immersion immediately)!
Place a towel under arms to hold the head out of the water.
Add ice to the tub.
Stir the water to keep it cool.
Stay in the tub until core (rectal) temperature is below 102 °F (if unable to measure the temperature stay in the tub until the body is shivering or EMS arrives and is ready to transport).
Always Cool First, Then Transport!
Gradual Heat Acclimatization: is the single most effective method of preventing heat-related illness. Heat acclimatization should allow student-athletes to gradually adapt and cope to exercising in hot and humid environmental conditions. Coaches have the responsibility of designing practice schedules to allow athletes to gradually acclimate to hot and/or humid weather over a 10-14 days. Each exposure should involve a gradual increase in the amount, intensity, and duration of exercise until it is comparable to a competitive level.
What is WetBulb Globe Temperature?
An instrument used to measure environmental heat stress.
Certified athletic trainers monitor environmental conditions via WBGT readings.
DCPS requires that certified athletic trainers utilize a portable WBGT device and record the daily reading approximately 30 minutes prior to practices/games.
These readings should be available to head coaches ASAP.
These readings should be measured whenever the forecasted temperature is above 85° F and should be measured hourly if the temperature is expected to increase.
The following guidelines are recommended for WBGT readings:
WBGT Reading | Activity Guidelines & Rest Break Guidelines |
|---|---|
UNDER 82.0 | Normal activities --Provide at least three separate rest breaks each hour of minimum duration of 3 minutes each during workout |
82.0 -86.9 | Use discretion for intense or prolonged exercise; watch at-risk players carefully; Provide at least three separate rest breaks each hour of a minimum of four minutes duration each. |
87.0 - 89.9 | Maximum practice time is two hours. For Football: players restricted to helmet, shoulder pads, and shorts during practice. All protective equipment must be removed for conditioning activities. For all sports: Provide at least four separate rest breaks each hour of a minimum of four minutes each |
90.0--92.0 | Maximum length of practice is one hour, no protective equipment may be wom during practice and there may be no conditioning activities. There must be 20 minutes of rest breaks provided during the hour of practice. |
OVER 92 | No outdoor workouts; Cancel exercise; delay practices until a cooler WBGT reading occurs |